Connelly v. H. M. Advocate 1990 J.C. 349
Citation: Connelly v. H. M. Advocate 1990 J.C. 349
Rule of thumb: Is there a difference between psychotic disorder & being a psychopath? In law, yes - a psychotic disorder can be declared insane or get diminished responsibility. A person with a personality disorder is just regarded as a psychopath with this being meaningless in terms of defending a case. Often the prosecution will argue that a person was just a psychopath, and the defence will argue that it was a psychiatric medical condition to try to reduce the severity of the charge.
Judgment:
The basic facts of this case were that the accused had a personality disorder, with a very difficult upbringing. The Court however held he did not have a psychotic disorder. The Court held that he was guilty of murder & he had no legally recognised condition, "whether there is something in the mental condition of the accused which can properly be described as a mental disorder or a mental illness or disease".
Warning: This is not professional legal advice. This is not professional legal education advice. Please obtain professional guidance before embarking on any legal course of action. This is just an interpretation of a Judgment by persons of legal insight & varying levels of legal specialism, experience & expertise. Please read the Judgment yourself and form your own interpretation of it with professional assistance.